Since she was born our daughter has had trouble gaining weight. We have been nursing and supplementing with pumped breast milk and soy formula. Since I had planned on breastfeeding only, I don't know ANYTHING about formula...even though I grew up on it. She is gaining weight relatively fine now. I read in a book recently that babies on formula should also be getting 4-8 oz of water a day. I talked to the lactation consultant and a lactation counselor and neither of them had heard of that. We have a strong community in support of breastfeeding, so there are very few moms in my circle who use formula at all. The weather being so dry, I think a little water might be good for her, but I just don't know and I don't want to give it to her if it might slow her weight gain any more. Any mom's out there who use/d formula give their little, little one's water in the winter? Note, too, she is recovering from a cold that we have both had.
Thanks!
I would like to thanks the folks who responded to my water dilemma. So I called our Pediatrician's office and spoke to the Physicians Assistant. She said that the Ped's don't usually recommend that you give babies water until they are much older because they need the calories and they get enough water from formula and breast milk. She said that we could, if we wanted, but would recommend no more than 1 oz per day. I actually chose to give our three month old 1 oz of water for the past two days only because our house is so dry and she has been ill and a little constipated. It worked really well to hydrate her a little more. But I am choosing not to make this a habit. I don't feel it's necessary except on occasion. Again, thanks for all the insights and support!
I asked my son's doctor the same question last summer when it was so hot, and she said that giving a baby water can slow weight gain because it will fill them up and they won't take in as much breast milk/formula. She also said the water in the formula more than takes care of their hydration needs. I would assume that would hold true in the winter as well.
I have formula fed both of my boys. My 6 month old has had increidbly hard bowel movements, and it is a big ordeal when he goes. I called the advice nurse about it when he was a few months old and she said to give him a little bit of water in his diet to help soften his stools. BUT, I later talked to a doctor in the mother/baby unit to get a second opinion, and she said that you should never give babies plain water. She said to make sure you are giving them the correct amount of water and formula. She explained that it is important for their brain development to have the correct amounts together and that babies didn't need any more water than what they are getting with the formula. Some babies just take a little longer that others to gain weight. I am sure once your little girl starts on solids that she will gain weight just fine!! :)
I don't know much about breast feeding as both of my children had difficulties when I tried (mine are 8 and 9 yrs old now)and I don't know about water. I know you can give babies too much water. I do know about hungry babies and "spit-up" babies. I gave both of my children dry cereal mixed up in their bottle. I am sure you can pump and use breast milk for this. They were satisfied longer, and slept longer, and held down their milk better. I did have to give one of mine lactose free formula for a long time. It seems, though, that I had the best luck from Carnation good start.
Hope this helps.
J.
There is no reason you can't give her water that I know of. Both of mine always had water bottles and formula bottles. Mine also live on water now that they are older. They are not big soda drinkers at all because they got used to water. Also, my mom was always adamant about not putting a baby to bed w/ formula or juice so if I was having trouble getting them down I would give them about 2 oz of water in a bottle to help get them down.
My son is 6 and my daughter is 4. I breastfed my son for about 3 or 4 months. I stopped because I was a year overdue for a mammorgram (I was scheduled for one when I found out I was pregnant) and I had to stop nursing so my milk could dry up before the mammorgram. With my daughter, I did not make enough milk for her. I would nurse, give her a bottle of formula and then pump. By the time I finished with all that it was time to start over again. After a couple of months of this, I went to formula completely.
I never gave them plain water. The only water they got was what I mixed with the formula. When they were old enough for juice, I would dilute it with water too (about half and half. I read somewhere not to give them plain water because it would fill them up and they needed the calories and nutrients in the formula. Both of my kids are healthy and right where they should be weight wise. Hope this helps.
Hi there, I am a mother of 2 and both of my children were formula fed. I also gave them water on occasion. A little water does not hurt a baby. It is actually very good for them. It cleans there mouth out and helps there bowls. If you think about it a baby probably gets thirsty like everyone else does. I always gave my babies water. It won't bother her weight as long as you don't subsitute feedings with water. Just give her a few drinks of water before or after her feeding. Not every feeding just like once and a while. Whenever you think she is thirsty. I have had my babies cry for water. Sometimes it seems like formula wasn't enough and I would give them a drink of water and they would be fine. So I think you'll be fine giving her water and it shouldn't slow down her growth, cause your still giving her formula. Good luck and go with your instincts.
Our pediatrician cautioned us against giving any water to our babies (until they were older). He said they received enough liquid in their formula/breastmilk to keep them hydrated, and water would only decrease their appetite and slow their (needed) weight gain. My son was formula fed from one month, and I never supplemented him with any water. My daughter was breastfed until she self weaned at 13 months, and I didn't even give her any water until she started drinking out of a cup (primarily instead of breastfeeding) at around a year. Hope that helps!
My second daughter just absolutely could not suck hard enough to nurse. I didn't think that was possible having exclusively nursed my first daughter for a year. Nevertheless, I had to supplement my pumped milk (I couldn't get enough out) with formula. I gave my daughter water one time- when she was constipated- worked like a charm. I bought powdered formula and mixed it with water. I never heard anything about needing to give her more water. I don't think that giving her water would hurt her or hinder her weight gain, but I don't think it's necessary. If you're afraid of dry skin I would use more lotion. I would encourage you to look into the soy formula. There is a lot of evidence that soy is not good for children. There's evidence that it's actually hard to digest, inhibits growth, and prevents normal brain and nervous system development. You should make the decision for yourself, but I encourage you to do some research on it.
water is only recommended for formula fed babies in very extreme heat. babies can get too much water, and giving water can decrease appetite. not something you want in a baby who has trouble gaining.
I gave all five of mine water daily. Just a little bit, about 2 oz. daily. We lived in Florida with our first four and NC with the last. I nursed/formula on at least one of each but gave water either way. I gave 1 oz about an hour after the morning feeding and another oz in the afternoon, so as to not interfere with their milk desire/want.
Good Luck!
My daughter was exclusively formula fed and she never had water until she was much older...I can't say that I remember the exact age, but I'm pretty sure it was after 12 months when she would drink it from a cup. My ped. told us that she was getting plenty of liquid in her formula (and your milk, in your case) and water would just be a nutrient-free filler.
I asked my sons dr. this past friday how much water he should have and he told me that not as much in the winter,if he is wetting and doesnt seem dry only and half to one oz. daily but if his lips and mouth seem dry to give him an half ounce, but if he quits wetting the call the dr. ASAP as he is dehidrated. This changes in warmer weather and they need more water then. As to the ammout of water needed daily in the winter or summer I think it depend on the age and size of the child so you might want to ask her dr. if you feel she needs more than an oz.
good luck
That is ok. Alot of mothers think there babies should be "fat". It depends on weather or not the age on how much she should weigh. Yes give your baby water. As adults we should get at least a quart of water for every 25 lbs you are over weight on top of 1 gallon a day!Say you are 50 lbs over weight--1.5 gallons of water a day. Your body remember is 70% water. It works best on water.
Hello,
I intended on exclusively breast feeding my son but it didn't work out so I had to go to formula. The doctor told me that infants do not need water - the water they get from breast milk and formula is enough. However, at about 6 weeks old, my son was constipated and my doctor told me that I could introduce water to my sons diet. So, I gave him 'sips' of water throughout the day. I guess my point is that your daughter is probably getting enough water, but if you decide to give her a little water throughout the day, it won't hurt her.
Regards,
M.
